Falcons will honor civil rights icon John Lewis in Week 1

The Atlanta Falcons are focused on football but will not ignore the bigger social issues in our country when they take the field for their season-opening matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

On Friday, the team announced it would be celebrating the life of John Lewis, the former Georgia congressman and civil rights icon, by making him an honorary captain in Week 1.

The man once known as “the conscience of the Congress” by his peers passed away in July at the age of 80. Lewis’ role in the country passing the 1965 Voting Rights Act is as relevant today as ever.

Falcons defensive end Steven Means and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett were among the players to show support for Lewis on social media after the team announced him as its honorary captain.

Can’t change everyone’s hearts but we can change the laws @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/b5HqO2lyqh

— Steve Means (@MeansBusiness56) September 12, 2020

View this post on Instagram

We will honor the legacy of John Lewis by having him in spirit serve as our Honorary Captain for the Season Opener. It was an honor for me personally to have the opportunity to meet and speak with John Lewis and thank him for all he has done for us. His legacy will live on forever. @atlantafalcons #Vote

A post shared by Grady Jarrett (@gradyjarrett) on Sep 12, 2020 at 6:10am PDT

🗣Our players have something to say. 🗣#ItTakesAllOfUs pic.twitter.com/gD9YOEYDWz

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 12, 2020